NFL Notebook: Minneapolis to host 2018 Super Bowl

NFL Notebook: Minneapolis to host 2018 Super Bowl

1of2Vikings owner Zygi Wilf shows his excitement after Minneapolis' bid beat out those of New Orleans and Indianapolis.Photo: David Goldman / Associated Press

2of2Princess Wilson, center, joins a demonstration in support of U.S. Catholic nuns outside the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' biannual meeting Wednesday, June 13, 2012, in Atlanta. Supporters of U.S. Catholic nuns hand delivered a petition to the U.S. Bishops in response to a recent Vatican finding, which accused them of promoting "certain radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith," while failing to emphasize core teaching on abortion. The Vatican ordered a full-scale overhaul of the organization overseen by three American bishops, a decision that has led to an outpouring of support for the nuns nationwide. (AP Photo/David Goldman)Photo: AP

Build it, and the Super Bowl will come.

That message rang loud and clear Tuesday when Minneapolis was awarded the 2018 game after a vote by owners rewarded the city for its new stadium deal.

The owners chose Minneapolis and the $1 billion stadium planned for the site of the old Metrodome to host the championship over New Orleans and Indianapolis.

“In large part, it was due to recognition of the great work they've done on the stadium,” Commissioner Roger Goodell noted.

“It's been 10 years, and we've always been driving to build a stadium,” Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said. “We can rejoice right now for being rewarded this, but the hard work comes now.”

New Orleans and Indianapolis were the other finalists.

After the Saints made their presentation Tuesday, owner Tom Benson fell and hit his head as he walked off of a podium. A team spokesman said he was “fine” after being taken to a hospital to be checked for concussion symptoms.

Earlier at the meetings, owners tabled any vote expanding the playoffs to 14 teams.

Ex-players sue over painkiller use: Opening another legal attack on the NFL over the long-term health of its athletes, a group of retired players accused the league in a lawsuit of cynically supplying them with powerful painkillers and other drugs that kept them in the game but led to serious complications later in life.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages on behalf of more than 500 ex-athletes, charges the league with putting profits ahead of health.

To speed injured athletes' return to the field, doctors and trainers dispensed drugs illegally, without prescriptions or warning of the possible side effects, the plaintiffs contend.

Some football players said they were never told they had broken bones and were instead fed pills to mask the pain. One said that instead of surgery, he was given anti-inflammatory drugs and excused from practices so he could play in games. Others said that after years of free pills from the NFL, they retired addicts.

“Our attorneys have not seen the lawsuit and obviously I have been in meetings all day,” Goodell said.

Manziel access: The Browns have relaxed their media limitations to see former Texas A&M and Kerrville Tivy quarterback Johnny Manziel practice. Manziel, who will compete with Brian Hoyer for Cleveland's starting job, is taking part in the club's three-day organized team activities.

Cleveland is allowing national media to cover the workout after limiting access for its rookie minicamp last week to only local media.

Rice update: Ravens running back Ray Rice received initial approval to enter a court program that could result in dismissal of an aggravated assault charge against him stemming from a Feb. 15 incident with then-girlfriend Janay Palmer in an Atlantic City casino elevator. The couple married a day after Rice was indicted.

A judge must give final consent for Rice to enter the program. If convicted, Rice could face up to five years in prison.